SECTION 13: TROUBLESHOOTING
Trouble | Possible Cause(s) | Corrective Action |
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Engine fails to start | PTO lever (button)engaged. | Place PTO lever (button) in disengaged (Blade Stop) position. |
| Parking brake not engaged. | Engage parking brake. |
| Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. | Connect wire(s) to spark plug. |
| Throttle control not in correct position | Place throttle lever to fast or choke (if so equipped). |
| Choke not activated. | Activate choke. |
| Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. | Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) gas. |
| Blocked fuel line. | Clean fuel line or replace fuel filter, if so equipped. |
| Faulty spark plug. | Clean, adjust gap or replace plug. |
| Engine flooded. | Crank engine with throttle in FAST position. |
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Engine runs erratic | Unit running with CHOKE applied. | Place throttle lever in FAST position. |
| Spark plug wire loose. | Connect and tighten spark plug wire. |
| Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. | Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) |
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| gasoline. Replace fuel filter, if so equipped. |
| Vent in gas cap plugged. | Clear vent or replace cap if damaged. |
| Water or dirt in fuel system. | Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) |
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| gasoline. |
| Dirty air cleaner. | Replace air cleaner cartridge/element or clean |
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| so equipped. |
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Engine overheats | Engine oil level low. | Fill crankcase with proper capacity and weight of oil. |
| Air flow restricted. | Clean grass clippings and debris from around the engine’s |
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| cooling fins and blower housing. |
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Engine hesitates at high | Spark plug gap too close. | Remove spark plug and reset the gap to .030”. |
RPM |
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Idles poorly | Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too | Replace spark plug. Set plug gap to .030”. |
| wide. |
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| Dirty air cleaner. | Replace air cleaner cartridge/element or clean |
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| so equipped. |
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Excessive vibration | Cutting blade loose or unbalanced or | Tighten blade and spindle. Balance blade. |
| damaged. | Replace blade. |
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Mower will not mulch | Engine speed low. | Place throttle in FAST position. |
grass | Wet grass. | Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut. |
| Excessively high grass. | Mow once at a higher cutting height, then mow again at desired |
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| height or make a narrower cutting swath. |
| Dull blade. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
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Uneven cut | Deck not balanced properly. | Perform |
| Dull blade. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
| Uneven tire pressure. | Check tire pressure in all four tires. |
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